ice."

"Hello! Who is this?" Creighton was facing the door from the hall, to
which the other two men had their backs, and he was the first of them
to notice a tall, prepossessing young man who hurried into the room.
Behind him came Miss Ocky, looking pleased, and after her Krech,
hunting for the detective from whom he had become separated. "Is it--?"

"Copley!" cried Jason Bolt and Judge Taylor with one voice. They
greeted the newcomer warmly, but with the subdued sympathy suitable to
the occasion. "When did you learn about this?" added Bolt.

"This morning's papers. I came as fast as I could." He spun around
toward Miss Ocky. "My mother--?"

"Sleeping," answered his aunt. "It has been a shock, but you have no
need to worry about her. Don't think of waking her up; I know you must
want to go to her, but wait."

"This is a terrible business," said the young man to Bolt and the
lawyer. He was yet unaware of Creighton, who had withdrawn slightly
into the background. "I only know what I've read in the papers. As I
came in just now I heard somebody say the inquest had drawn a blank.
Is that so?"

"Yes. It is a complicated affair, Copley," answered Bolt. "It will
take some time to tell you everything that has happened--"

"We'll go into it later, then. Just tell me now if everything possible
is being done to identify the man who killed my father. That is the
most important business before us. Have the police any clues?"

"I believe so, but they are saying little. On our own account, I have
engaged this gentleman here--Mr. Creighton--to conduct an independent
inquiry. Creighton, this is Mr. Varr's son, of whom you have heard."

Copley sent a keen look at the detective, then held out his hand.

"Glad to meet you--and very glad that Mr. Bolt has engaged your
services. It is the very thing I would have wished. I have no
confidence in the local authorities."

"That appears to make it unanimous," said Creighton, grinning.
"Really, I'm beginning to wonder if these county fellows can be as
stupid as they're reputed." He glanced at Jason Bolt. "Suppose I take
Mr. Varr into the study here and give him a resume of events to date?
Somebody must, and I know the details better than any one else,
perhaps."

There was a chorus of relieved approval from Bolt, Taylor and Miss Ocky
and a quick nod of assent from Copley.

"I must have a talk with you, too, Copley, as soon as possible," added
Jason Bolt. "I